University President John T. Casteen, III announced yesterday the establishment of the National Social Norms Institute at the University, made possible by a $2.5 million gift from the Anheuser-Busch Corporation.
The institute, an entity run independently of its corporate sponsor, will research the impact of social standards and customs on the attitudes and behaviors of individuals, specifically with respect to the consumption and abuse of alcohol within the University community.The institute will also analyze the data to determine the most effective policies for alcohol abuse prevention.
Examples of social norms initiatives already implemented on Grounds include the Stall Seat Journal in first-year bathrooms, which offers accurate information on alcohol use at the University and is updated monthly.
Casteen, who accepted the check from Anheuser-Busch, called the event "the culmination of a long partnership that began with frustration on all sides." Casteen then described the history of alcohol abuse prevention at the University throughout his tenure, saying, "The problems we're trying to address here have never found a firm solution."
Casteen expressed optimism for the NSNI, calling social norms research, "the best approach."
University alumnus John Nau III, also the CEO of the second largest distributor of Anheuser-Busch products nationwide, was a major force behind the creation and strengthening of the partnership between the University and the brewing company.
"It only made sense to me that we try to marry these two great institutions, the University of Virginia and Anheuser-Busch, on social norms and education on alcohol abuse," Nau said.
Nau said through the work of the National Social Norms Institute, "lives can be saved and will be by the promotion of good, safe decision-making among Wahoos, not only here, but nationwide."
Francine Katz, spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch and parent of a current University student, represented the brewery and symbolically handed the check for $2.5 million over to Casteen. She also praised the effectiveness of social norms research, noting its greater utility to individual schools due to the fact that it customizes alcohol abuse prevention policies by taking into account the social information of the specific school.
Dr. James Turner, executive director of the Department of Student Health, said that the Anheuser-Busch donation would go toward hiring three to four staff persons for the institute, made up of educators and statisticians, then setting up an off-Grounds office.
Anheuser-Busch also funds social norms research at other schools, including Florida State University, Georgetown University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
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